Hardwood Floricane Blackberry Cuttings & Production of Primocane Blackberry in North Dakota

Abstract

Blackberry (Rubus L. subgenus Rubus, Watson) is not a commercially produced crop in North Dakota since the available floricane cultivars are not winter hardy. Two experiments were performed to evaluate alternative methods of production for commercial use. The first experiment evaluated rooting of floricane-blackberry hardwood cuttings, which could be used in an annual production system. Various cultivars, auxin treatments, and rooting methods were used to determine the best adventitious root production. Rooting success was cultivar dependent with regard to auxin concentration and low results were observed overall. The second experiment evaluated practices to improve yield in four primocane-fruiting blackberry cultivars. Three soft-tipping treatments were applied to plants in a high tunnel, silver mulch, and bare soil. Tipping did not improve yield in the high tunnel, silver mulch, or bare soil environments and double-tipping decreased yield in the silver mulch. Harvest in all three environments ended after the first hard freeze.